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      Algiers

      Released Jul 13, 1938 1h 35m Crime Drama List
      Reviews 61% 500+ Ratings Audience Score In Algiers, Algeria, notorious thief Pepe le Moko (Charles Boyer) evades police capture by hiding within the maze-like Casbah district. Pepe's renown makes him a popular target not only with policeman Javier but also sympathetic Inspector Slimane (Joseph Calleia) and jealous thief Regis. Through Slimane, Pepe meets the beautiful American Gaby (Hedy Lamarr) and becomes obsessed with her. Regis' plan to lure Pepe out into the open falls apart, until Pepe learns that he may never see Gaby again. Read More Read Less

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      Critics Reviews

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      Otis Ferguson The New Republic Algiers is one of those naturals in pictures, having action, romance, strange places and predicaments, and the peg of character to hang it on. May 7, 2024 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews never gets over its artificiality, emptiness or lack of suspense. Rated: B Aug 4, 2006 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com The dialogue is silly (and campy), but the film is nicely produced and Hedy Lamarr is goregous in the movie that made her an international star. Rated: B- Oct 20, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Irene M This movie really held up against the test of time. It was Hedy Lamarr's first Hollywood role. the french actor was also quite good. Someone called it "proto noir", and that makes sense, given the ending reminded me of Casablanca. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Imitation is the best form of flattery. For audiences that haven't seen the far superior, "Pepe le Moko", directed by Julien Duvivier, this version, will have to suffice. "Algiers" follows its French model in ways that it's just not a remake, it's a copy of the other film. Fortunately for John Cromwell, a fine director, he got a tremendously appealing performance by Charles Boyer, a suave actor who embodied the famous jewel thief of that notorious district of Algiers. This film was also made better thanks to the magic camera work by James Wong Howe, one of the best men in the business, as proved by his long and distinguished career behind the scenes. Henri LaBarthe's novel was adapted for this American version by John Howard Lawson, with James Cain's helping with additional dialog. "Algiers" is not without its own merits. Thanks to the talented cast that came together for the making of this film, it has gained the status of a classic. Charles Boyer was perfect as Pepe, a man whose life centers around the mysterious citadel where all kinds of unsavory characters live. Hedy Lamarr, one of the most beautiful faces in the movies, makes a good appearance as Gaby, the woman who steals Pepe's heart. Gaby and Pepe have a common ground as they reminisce of Paris, a city both love. The other triumph of "Algiers" was the way the supporting players made this story much better, as it seems impossible to visualize other people cast for the key minor parts. Sigrid Gurie, is a mysterious Ines, the woman in love with Pepe. In her love, she doesn't stop to take into consideration what her actions will do to her lover. Gene Lockhart, a magnificent character actor, is phenomenal in his take of Regis, the schemer of the Casbah. Joseph Calleia, is perfectly sly as Inspector Slimane, a man with the patience of a saint, who must humor Pepe and his gang and who is powerless inside the Casbah. Stanley Fields makes a loyal Carlos, Pepe's trusted companion. Johnny Downs is seen as Pierrot and Leonid Kinskey, another character actor who worked extensively in that period of the American cinema, is excellent as L'arbi. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review steve d Well acted and a lot of fun if you like pepe le pew. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review david l Algiers is an odd movie structurally speaking as it shifts its genres from drama to crime to romance without ever feeling cohesive. It's lacking in terms of storytelling, but it's very well acted with Charles Boyer being excellent in the main role. Technically speaking, the movie is sumptuous and exotic, benefiting strongly from expectedly stellar work from masterful cinematographer James Wong Howe. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The best romance movie ever made! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member A fun Americanized copy of the original. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis In Algiers, Algeria, notorious thief Pepe le Moko (Charles Boyer) evades police capture by hiding within the maze-like Casbah district. Pepe's renown makes him a popular target not only with policeman Javier but also sympathetic Inspector Slimane (Joseph Calleia) and jealous thief Regis. Through Slimane, Pepe meets the beautiful American Gaby (Hedy Lamarr) and becomes obsessed with her. Regis' plan to lure Pepe out into the open falls apart, until Pepe learns that he may never see Gaby again.
      Director
      John Cromwell
      Screenwriter
      John Howard Lawson, James M. Cain
      Distributor
      United Artists
      Production Co
      Walter Wanger Productions, Inc.
      Genre
      Crime, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jul 13, 1938, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Aug 11, 2016
      Runtime
      1h 35m
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